Battery for cleaning tarnished metals.



R. H. GALBREATH.

BATTERY FOR CLEANING TARNISHED METALS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29}1911:

1,018,355. PatentedFeb.-20,1912;

witnesses HUBER! H. GALBREATH,

armres learner orat on.

OF DENVER, COLORADO.

BATTERY FOR CLEANING TARNISHED METALS Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

A ,lication filed May 29, 1911. Serial No. 630,195.

- able others skilled in the art to which it ap pertains to make and use'the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in batteries for cleaning tarnished metals, my improved device consisting of connecting two plates which have the relation to each other of cathode and anode, or one of which is electro-positive, while the other is elecfro-negative, in such a manner that, when this battery is placed in ajsolution of common. salt and baking soda, an electrolyte is formed adapted to quickly remove the tarnisn from silver-ware or other articles of a similar nature.

Heretoforc, so far as I am aware, no selfcontained battery, constituting anarticle of manufacture, has been produced for this pur ose. In my improved construction, I' prefer to employ a plate of zinc and a plate of tin, the two being connected together by a metal framework, the device being equipped on opposite sides with a screen,

upon which the articles to be cleaned may rest. This screen allows the solution to come in advantageous contact with the ar ticles to be cleaned, and thus facilitates the performance of the cleaning function.

Having briefly outlined my improved c0nstruotion, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying-drawing, in which is illusv trated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing: Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the device partly in section and partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

The same referencecharaoters refer to the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a zinc plate and 6 tin plate bearing the relation to each other, as aforesaid, of anode and cathode, and, for the purposes of this specification, I

will assume that the cathode plate is tin and the anode zinc. To the opposite sides of the plate structure is applied coverings 7 and 8 of relatively coarse metal mesh fabric, thus making four metal layers comprising the two plates 5 and 6 and the two'layers of metal mesh material. To the surrounded edges of these four members is applied a metal framework, consisting of two parallel side members 9 and end members 10. These parts 9 and 10 are bent over the edges of the.

device, and pressed tightly down on both sides thereof, the four parts 9-9 and 10-10 being connected together at the corners of the device by means of solder or in any other suitable manner. This metal framework is preferably composed of tin. In any event, the framework, as well as the metal mesh covering for the opposite sides of the platestructure, must be electro-negative to the zinc plate, or bear the relation of. cathode to the zinc plate. It may, however, be eithr electro-positive or electro-negative to the metal to be cleaned according to the nature of the metal to be cleaned.

In using my improved battery, it should be placed in a receptacle containing enough warm water to cover the silver-ware or other article to be cleaned. tablespoonful of common salt and an equal quantity of baking soda are placed in the water for each quart thereof. The water is then stirred for the purpose of dissolving the salt and. soda.

The article to be cleaned is placed in this solution, resting on the battery, which is preferably placed with the zinc or anode plate uppermost. The article to be cleaned is left in the solution until it looks bright, and is then wiped with a dry cloth. Ordinarily, it only takes about a minute to perform the cleaning function, V cle to be cleaned may be left in the solution any length of time desiredsince itwill not be harmed. thereby in any way. After the cleaning operation is over, the battery should be washed by pouring warm water thereon until the solution has been entirely removed therefrom- In order to facilitatethe operation of cleaning the battery," 'th'e framework composed of two parts 9-9 and lO-lO is provided with openings 12 at the corners to allow the cleaning water to escape.

By virtue of this construction, it becomes practicable to completely remove all traces 1 of the solution and prevent the corrosion of the device when not in use.

though the arti- Instead of the mesh members forming the covering for the opposite sides of the plate structure, other suitable plates, adapted to perform the same function, may be employed, it being important that the article to be cleaned shall have as small a part of its surface as possible in actual contact with the battery, since, by this arrangement, the surfaceto be cleaned isibetter exposed to the electrolytic solution.

'Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: 1.- A battery for cleaning tarnished met- -als,-'composed of two adjacent plates having the relation of anode and cathode-to each other, a frame surrounding the two plates, for securing the same in contact with each other, for the purpose set forth.

2. A device of the class described, consisting'of two plates having the relation to each other of anode and cathode, suitable means comprising a frame for connecting the two plates to form a battery, and means applied to one side of the plate structure for supporting the article to be cleaned out of direct contact with the plate structure, the said means being of such character that the article to be cleaned has only a small portion of its surface in direct contact with the battery, for'the purpose set forth.

3. A battery of the class described, con- 5. A battery ofthe class described, con- I sisting of two adjaceht plates which are respectively electro-negative and electro positive to each other, a layer of metal mesh material applied to the opposite sides of the plate structure, and a metal binding applied to the surrounding edges of the aforesaid metal members, whereby they are all secured together in cooperative relation, the metal binding, as well as the metal mesh material, being electro negative to the cleaning or electro positive plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT H. GALBREATH. Witnesses:

F. E. BOWEN, J NO. G. POWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissicncr of Eatcntd, Washington, D. C. 

